Local Bridge Clubs Busy This Summer

Members of the Metropolitan Atlanta Duplicate Bridge Unit (MABU) have had quite a busy summer. The southwest Atlanta bridge clubs, as well as other metro bridge clubs, also continue to serve as an asset to the community.  

"The University Bridge Club" (UBC) held a successful benefit for Morris Brown College, raising over $2000.00 dollars for that institution.

Former W.E.B. DuBois secretary Omie Lee Dixon, a member of the "Anne Wood Bridge Club," celebrated her 91st birthday in July and a few weeks later received an award from the National Convention of Gospel Choirs and Choruses.

Dixon was honored as a pioneer in gospel singing. The UBC and Anne Wood clubs meet each week at the Quality Living Services Center (QLS).

"The Lanier-Darnell Duplicate Bridge Club" meets each Monday afternoon at the Harriett G. Darnell Senior facility. The group has a rich history. It began as "The Monday Morning Bridge Players" at St. Paul of the Cross Catholic Church.

The late Mr. Horace Bohannon, a member of the famous Tuskeegee airmen, was instrumental in organizing and instructing the group. Mrs. Roberta Lanier, an avid bridge player and secretary of the church, supported and encouraged Bohannon in his quest for American Bridge Association(ABA) membership for the group.

The club met at the church until 1999 when Bohannon secured space at the Darnell facility. Lanier died in July of 1999 and left funds in her will to support Bohannon's dream of having the club chartered as a member of the ABA. The club was renamed the Lanier-Darnell Duplicate Bridge Players in honor of Lanier and the Darnell facility.

Upon the death of Horace Bohannon, the club decided to provide an annual scholarship in his honor. In addition to being a member of the Tuskeegee Airmen, Bohannon was known for his community service. On July 10th, the Lanier-Darnell Club presented it's ninth Horace Bohannon book scholarship to Ijeoma Okoye, a graduate of Sandy Creek High School.

The $1000.00 award was presented in honor of Okoye's community service, leadership ablilties, and 3.98 grade point average. The scholarship was awarded to Okoye at St. Paul of the Cross Catholic Church on July 10, 2011. Okoye will attend the University of Georgia and major in Biology.

On Saturday, August 13th, the MABU held a "graduation" ceremony to honor several of the 25 bridge students who completed beginners bridge classes within the last 12 months. This event took place at QLS.

One of the novice players, Patricia Jeter, chaired the program. Words of wisdom and suggestions for improving their game were provided by Lillian Holeman, Dr. Evelyn Gillard, and Eric Shelton. MABU president Emma Fountain pronounced the event a success.

"If you bring 'em, we'll train 'em," she said. Fountain congratulated the graduates and thanked all of their bridge instructors.

Atlanta was also fortunate to have three local members receive  American Bridge Association national honors this summer. Duplicate bridge players are rewarded for their playing excellence on a master point classification system.

One southwest Atlanta player, Gloria Christler, received the highest award possible within this point system. She achieved the status of "Grand Life Master," having won over 20,000 master points! She is the only player in Atlanta to have ever achieved this honor. Across the nation there are only a few players who have reached this level.

Christler is a member of southwest Atlanta's "South Metro Club" which meets at the Ben Hill recreation center on Tuesday nights.

Another southwest Atlanta resident, Edith Knowlton, was also honored by the national group with a "Life Time Achievement Award" for her long record of service to the ABA. Knowlton is a UBC member. In addition,Helen Toney, an East Metro bridge player received the "ABA Merit Award" for extensive and valued service to the organization.

Awards, scholarships, benefit games, graduations and national honors!! This has been a fantastic summer for the various Atlanta duplicate bridge clubs. And the summer is not yet over. 

Interested members of the community who wish to learn this interesting game can contact  the ABA  office (404-768-5517) for information. Classes are also held at QLS each Friday at 11 a.m.